Most likely the only route to the playoffs for both the Houston Astros and Miami Marlins is via the wild card in their respective leagues. They close an important series in south Florida on Wednesday night with a terrific pitching matchup.

Nitrobetting checks out the game in this preview. Get a complete look at the game information, team and player statistics, and the latest MLB odds. We also deliver timely betting trends and predictions that help you secure the best picks.

Astros vs. Marlins Game Information

Team win. pic.twitter.com/Ve29wTYMnd

— Houston Astros (@astros) August 16, 2023

• When: Wednesday, August 16, 2023, 6:40 PM ET
• Where: LoanDepot Park, Miami, FL
• TV: ATTH, BSFL
• Radio: 790AM KBME (Astros) // 940 WINZ AM (Marlins)
• Live Stream: MLB.tv
• MLB Odds: Astros (-125) // Marlins (+106)

READ MORE: Mets vs Cardinals MLB Odds, Preview and Prediction – August 17, 2023

Why bet on the Houston Astros?

Houston remains without two injured former All-Stars in first baseman Jose Abreu and outfielder Michael Brantley. Abreu was placed on the 10-day injured list with lower-back inflammation over the weekend. The one-time AL MVP with the White Sox has slashed just .234/.291/.343 in his first season in Houston so the team may give him plenty of time to get this right.

Brantley hasn’t played all season but was assigned to Triple-A Sugar Land to start a rehab assignment Tuesday. Brantley was shut down in early May after a nine-game rehab stint due to inflammation in his surgically repaired right shoulder, and he’ll likely require at least a handful of games in the minors before the Astros activate him. One of the team’s better relievers, Phil Maton, also is in the IL but tests revealed no structural damage in his right elbow.

All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve could reach 2,000 career hits in this game to join Craig Biggio (3,060) and Jeff Bagwell (2,314) on that franchise list. Altuve is also just eight doubles shy of 200 and nine stolen bases shy of 300 for his career. He was the AL Player of the Week last week, the third Houston player to win it since the All-Star Break.

Kyle Tucker is one of just three players in the Majors with 22-or-more home runs and stolen bases, joining NL MVP candidate Ronald Acuña Jr. of Atlanta and Bobby Witt of Atlanta. Tucker ranks second in the AL in RBI (88), third in OPS (.890) and fourth in slugging (.514).

It’s ace right-hander Justin Verlander (7-6, 3.19 ERA) on the mound. Verlander earned the win last Friday, allowing three runs on six hits over six innings in a 11-3 win over the Angels. He struck out seven without walking a batter. Save for a solo home run from C.J. Cron in the second inning, Verlander’s outing on Friday was effectively blemish free. He’s now allowed just 12 earned runs across his last nine starts, looking in peak form as Houston’s chase for the AL West crown continues.

It was his first win since his return to the Astros at the trade deadline. Verlander is the Astros’ career leader in ERA (2.27), WHIP (0.838) and winning percentage (.753), among other categories.

Why bet on the Miami Marlins?

The Marlins are quite healthy for the most part. They really struggled for a while out of the break but are playing well again currently. Miami’s home winning percentage is the 3rd-highest in the NL (6th in MLB), while the 37 wins are the 3rd-most by any National League team. Miami first baseman Yuli Gurriel spent 7 years with the Astros, winning two World Series in 2017 and 2022. Gurriel got his 2022 World Series ring before Tuesday’s game.

MLB batting leader Luis Arraez’s 45 multi-hit games are 3rd-most in MLB. He is tied for 1st in MLB with 17 games of at least 3 hits and owns 6 games with at least 4 hits this year, most in the Majors and most by a Marlins player in a single season. Arraez is hitting .460 with RISP, also the best mark among qualifiers. The Marlins record for average with RISP is held by Miguel Cabrera’s .378 mark in 2006.

It’s lefty Jesus Luzardo (8-7, 3.91 ERA) on the mound for Miami. Luzardo took the loss versus the Yankees last Friday, yielding seven runs on nine hits and a walk over 3.1 innings. He struck out two. IT was the shortest outing of the season for Luzardo, and it’s also the most hits he’s permitted this year. He served up a pair of home runs and now has surrendered five long balls across his last two outings. Luzardo has really struggled in his past three and it’s possible he’s tiring, having already reached his career high in innings with 131.2.

This will be his fourth career start and fifth overall appearance vs. Houston. He has gone 1-1 with a 4.35 ERA (20.2/10) and 22 strikeouts in the previous ones all with Oakland. Luzardo has never faced the Astros while with Miami. In 9 Interleague starts this season, he has gone 2-4 with a 5.17 ERA (47.0/27) and 56 strikeouts.

Angels vs. Astros Betting Trends

• Houston is 10-5 SU in the last 15 games.
• Astros are 7-13 SU in its last 20 games against Miami.
• The total went over in 16 of Houston’s last 20 games when playing on the road against Miami.
• Miami is 5-2 SU in the last 7 games.
• Marlins are 1-4 SU in its last 5 games against an opponent in the American League West Division division.
• The total went under in 10 of Miami’s last 15 games.

Angels vs. Astros Betting Prediction

Astros 4, Marlins 3.

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